duck soup and Ms. Brown

 Another very fine day! I so enjoyed lunch at King Thai Noodle House where I used to dine while working at the Big Box back in the day. I did drop into Macy's to check out Union Square before they remove the big tree and ice skating rink. The highlight, for sure, was SFMOMA for the Joan Brown retrospective on the 7th floor. This artist (who died waaaaay too young) has long been one of my favorites and yes, I will return to admire her work because she was so talented and colorful. 

we need this poem today

 Happiness

BY RAYMOND CARVER

So early it's still almost dark out.

I'm near the window with coffee,

and the usual early morning stuff

that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend

walking up the road

to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,

and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.

They are so happy

they aren't saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take

each other's arm.

It's early in the morning,

and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.

The sky is taking on light,

though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute

death and ambition, even love,

doesn't enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on

unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,

any early morning talk about it.

an almost perfect day

 Between rainy days I took myself for a long walk and a delicious late lunch at Valencia Bottega with my view of City College Annex across the street. Then more much needed walking up to the Drawing Room (780 Valencia) where three (!) of my museum friends have some of their art work on exhibit. This is a big and fun space ~ a great new discovery for me. A brisk walk home with a quiet smile all the way.

zoom zoom and old guy jokes

 I'm finally watching Top Gun Two because the award shows will be coming up and I hope to see one or two of the movies. Tom Cruise looks good and I'm a huge Jon Hamm fan,  Jennifer Connelly is pretty cool too. But glad I didn't pay big theater prices for this, I'm not part of the designated audience, that much I know for sure. 

Glass Onion x two

  I had to watch Glass Onion twice to appreciate this Knives Out second murder mystery. It is on Netflix and is well worth fitting this into your holiday schedule ~ especially Daniel Craig and Edward Norton. 

it's a wrap

Too much delicious food, lots of joy and laughter yesterday in Pumpkinville. A lovely gathering which, as always, makes me appreciate the long and fulfilling friendship with the Blogmaid and her family. AND her American Girl Doll collection ~ some of which you see in the middle photo. 

 

Merry Christmas to everyone

 Top photo: Paolo's birthday celebration at Heidi's last night. He grew up in Rome and we liked hearing his memories. Middle: This morning ~ some haze but it will be a lovely day and I'm heading to Pumpkinville later and looking forward to that. (Using Husbando's coffee mug and missing him, as per usual.) Bottom photo: I love all the holiday cards filled with love and joy. 

my holiday message

 Get your FREE Covid tests from the US Government. Mine arrived in about four days and I like when the folks in charge work for the citizens. We will be doing a lot of testing, of that I'm sure. 

science rules

 Yesterday Amy, Ginger (top photo) and I spent many hours at the California Academy of Sciences where I spent a good deal of time when I worked at the deYoung. A freebie then and yesterday. We went to the aquarium, planetarium and then rooms full of photos and exhibits. Here on the bottom is the famous Claude, the albino crocodile, who was actually swimming around yesterday. Usually, he sleeps. Amy brought our lunch and it was a full day indeed. Lots and lots of families with 39,000 kids, so we kept our masks on when inside. Thanks for this, Amy!

the champion of democratic values

 How impressive is President Zelenskyy of Ukraine? Very. Watching him address congress last night was amazing. So powerful. We will not give up on him or his brave people. 

my dear friend

 I ordered Joan's latest book from Amazon and of course it came in a few days. Oh, Hoan. Despite a serious lung disease, Joan is birding and writing and living life as best she can. Such an inspiration. I will be going to Santa Barbara in February to visit her and Ginger Two. From this book: "My message is that nature is a healer and observing how it works is crucial to every stage of human life." 

lots of support

 I so admire the brave/brave women and men of Iran who are protesting that right wing morality police business and the fight goes on. And on. Power. Keep up the good work, the world is watching.

quite beautiful

 

I am watching Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio on Netflix. This classic childhood story is stunning and you will probably need a break from time to time, as I did. It is glorious and disturbing. 

feed a cold

 I took myself to Tam's in Pathetica for won ton noodle soup yesterday. This messy bronchial thing hangs on and I have been house bound and hungry. I need to be 100% for one week from today. Onward!

just in time for the holidays

 Ooooooh, this is scary and fun. The Recruit is a spy story from/on Netflix  Noah Centineo is the actor to watch here ~ adorbs, as we teenagers say. His first week as a lawyer with the CIA is filled with all sorts of excitement and delight. Thumbs up very high.

WTF?

 Extreme ironing is easily one of the weirdest sports in the world. Practitioners of extreme ironing take their ironing boards to remote locations and iron clothes. While it is classed as a sport due to its athletic nature, extreme ironing is more of an exhibition than a competitive sport. Ironers document and share their adventures with others for the sheer fun of it.

the annual book club tea

 And coffee. We had a fine time yesterday afternoon at Chez Stein. Lots of food and champagne as well as a bit of book talk. Mad Rose was missing due to big family activities and we missed her. Annabelle hid in the garage because she needed to nap. 

very satisfying TV

I didn't take to the second season of The White Lotus at first. New characters, new setting. This time in beautiful Sicily, last time Hawaii. Stunning photography. But by last night's finale I was hooked. Check out Michael Imperioli (fromThe Sopranos) with his new grey hair. Thumbs up Lotus Lovers.

print and clip and save

 From yesterday's Chronicle. A friend taped this inside her medicine cabinet. It is already a bit of a rough winter, isn't it?

the trashy four return

 We've all been so busy, but yesterday we gathered at Manny's to pick up trash on Valencia Street. It wasn't that awful, either the rain or we are really making an impact. Then we had tea/coffee at Laurence's home (she is second from the left) and it was so lovely seeing her cat, Bear, again. Bear is NOBILITY.

best laid plans (and table)

 Last night was supposed to be the annual tamale dinner party here but I was forced to cancel due to this cold thing I developed. NOT Covid. The table is so pretty that I'm just leaving it up for a day or two. We have much needed rain here and I'm sure the guests were not unhappy to stay home and healthy.

we are so wasteful

On Monday after the GREAT SISTER PARTY, a volunteer from Food Runners arrived to pick-up the leftovers. They were grateful but I was delighted because I hate to waste food. Composting helps alleviate some guilt, but this felt so good. Too many hungry people, too much food surplus in America.

 

my slow return to normal

 A walk and latte at one of my favorite spots on Van Ness across from the Post Office. The adrenaline is not pumping quite as fast now and I am sleeping better. So much excitement (and all good!) with the new sister and the visit and party and whoosh. 

almost a wrap...

 I'm starting to calm down and concentrate on things other than THE PARTY, so these will be the final photos. It was quite a day ~ exhilarating and exhausting and unbelievable. Sister Jane just sent me a photo of her xmas tree and her glorious new Golden Gate Bridge night light. Joy abounds.

the answer is yes ~ more party people

 Ah, the after glow. Sister Jane and Tanner left yesterday and got safely back to Maryland late last night after a l-o-n-g day. My wonderful grand daughter, the newly married CC, is in the top photo with Emma my delightful trash buddy. The Blogmaid was also our photographer, bless her again and again.

party photos all week?

 I have so many wonderful friends, Finding a new sister is a GREAT reason to have a party. The food was from Bi-Rite and I was delighted with the quality and service. Sister Jane and Tanner leave today and I am already missing them. I'm getting this little house back in order and already loving the memories.

sister party ~ whoosh

 A wonderful day but this hermit-hostess is too exhausted to post anything. Tomorrow, however, you will be treated to tons of photos, thanks to the Blogmaid. Really, it was all very special and fun!

early dinner, early to bed

 Sister Jane, Tanner and I had a delightful dinner at our old standby John's Grill and I was in bed by 9:00 after a busy day of party prep. Still raining here. Today will be fun despite no parking (sewer work continues) and broken gas fireplace. A week of fun and gratitude continues.